Why Do We Need Homework?

Homework is today considered an integral part of studying and a way to help students remain focused. It has been shown to have many benefits not only in terms of learning but in other aspects of life. It helps in building discipline and time management skills that children use all their life. However, have you ever asked yourself when assignments were invented, by who and why? These are important questions to ask since they will help you have a better understanding of why you do these tasks.

When was homework started?

The term dates back as far as ancient Rome by Pliny the Younger. He was an oratory teacher, and he encouraged his students to do exercises at home to improve their speech. Pliny figured that the students had a better chance of learning in an informal environment. This bore excellent fruits, as the followers were able to understand better. Because of this, other teachers borrowed this technique and started assigning activities to be done at home.

However, modern-day homework is said to have been invented in 1905 by Roberto Nevilis, an Italian pedagogue. He started giving assignments to students and punishing them when they failed to do it. Since then, many changes have occurred in how these tasks are given to students and after how long. Teachers started recognizing the assignment as an essential part of learning.

What are the main functions of homework?

The importance of homework has been a great debate in recent days, with many discrediting its role in the process of learning. However, scientific studies have shown that home assignments play a significant part in improving the quality of education students get. Roberto Nevilis invented homework for the following reasons:

  • To help students choose the best time to do the tasks
  • To study without being rushed
  • To learn without limitation
  • To research and study different sources of information
  • To plan their work accordingly

From the above, you can see that certain skills are improved by assigning homework. This is why you can deduce that the primary function of the assignment is to:

  1. Build responsibility. The student can identify what is expected of him and plan accordingly to complete and submit the assignment on time.
  2. Research skills. The child learns how to use various sources of information to complete their work. They get the necessary details, compare it, and use what they need for the assignment.
  3. Repetition of work. The student is required to recall what he learned while in school and apply it in the assignment. It helps reinforce the lessons and promote good memory.
  4. Promotes independence. Homework is independent, so the student needs to take care of it on their own, which allows them to learn at their level.

While some people may argue against homework, it was created for a reason, and for the most part, it fulfills its role well. It is a means to help students learn at their level without pressure from teachers or other students. This allows them to become responsible for their work and research better, so they complete what is assigned to them.